Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-04


While the present fall has been most
favorable one for doing farm work. and
the weather is vet 20 delightful, fer the
season as TO make one wish We might have
it for all winter vet the evidences thick |
en- about u all the while that We must
make up our minds to soon go into winter
quarters. The days are shortening up.
and with the incoming of November We
begin TO think that however much We dis
like it We must submit to shiyery. goose
fieshy weather, accompanied. as the alma
macs say, with high winds" Ii Is one OF
the most unkindly, disagreeable. uncom-
Portable months of the entire calendar;
and when We get it behind Us, and look
forward toward the holidays and the
lengthening and strengthening cold OF
january, We think We have put a big piece
of unpleasantness behind Us ''for good.
We farmers have 10 jump round lively
about these times. for however smart and
methodical we think ourselves, and how
ever much We may pride ourselves on hav-
ing our work done in season with nothing
neglected till tomorrow, there are always
thousand and one jobs that crowd
themselve into the last few weeks or
days of late autumn, just a new-made
American citizens crowd tn be registered
the last day before election. And we have
no lease Of good weather now; We are
just living ON borrowed time" and what
we do must be done quickly, and that
which is done is 50 much clear gain. And
how the work stareS ~ in the face Just
when we ought to have it done. The
house to bank up; the pig-pen and hem
house To make warm: watering place for
the cattle during winter To be provided:
the grain to thresh: the rocks TO dig ont
of that field We are to pillow in the spring
and, by the way, all the blowing to be
done this fall il possible-,iead wood to
cut off the apple trees; that Old piece of
the farm implements and machines
that have been in use this summer to be
carefully stored--see that the mower or
horse rake are pot forgotten and stay
out in snow drift all winter; the sleds
and chains and winter rigging for work to
be hunted up, repaired and got together
ready for business; the carts and plows to
be painted up when put away after use,
the-but here are jobs enough to keep US
busy for q month at least, and before they
are half done, probably. winter will close
in upon us, drive our cattle into their
yards and warm quarters, and we, our
selves, TO the chimney corner, Well so
be it,
After all, there are compensations to
each season. We think there are few
more satisfied people on earth, or at least
those who should be, than the economical,
| industrious farmer at the approach of the
''close Time of the farm. His cattle,
sheep and horses are about him. the barns
and cellars are filed with the honest in
crease of his toll. and he can meet the APP
preach of stern winter with "A degree Of
satisfaction felt by few persons. In what
contrast to his condition are thousands of
the residents of our cities and large towns,
to whom the coming of winter brings only
deprivation, want and Strlngency. These
dread the approach Of winter ~ of an I'M
welcome guest. There are no comforts
which he can bring. IN summer the i'll
| fed and poorly clothed city dweller can
| sit out in the warmth of sunny sidewalk,
or possibly in the back yard few feet
| square, or upon the roof of some old shed
where lao can get "A glimpse of blue sky or
bit of sunSet--but III winter, what cheer
iessness and discomfort hiyed up about n
small coal stove, shipering oyer a dim
| lighted room of an evening. and going to
| cold room for the night independents
comfortable Maine farmers, Oh, knew
you but your happiness!
| Again, the intellectual and social enjoy
mentS which come to the farmer and his
family with the approach of winter, are of
a high order, and there is rare enjoyment
connected with each one of them The
| pleasures Of the family circle during our
! winter evenings, at these independent farm
homes. are Of pure, eleyating character.
The papers and books are to be read there
is the music from organ or piano with the
accompaniment or many voices; there are
visitation among neighb0rs and friends,
while the grange meetings and the 0c-
casions of social intercourse give polish
and gracefubeSs TO intercourse, stimulate
and quicken thought, improve the mind
and enlarge the affections. With these en=
joyments winter passes all too quickly. 1t
Is cold sometimes, but life is always young
in society if it does grow old in the indi-
vidual: the blood Is warm, the intellect is
vigorous, and the social festivities of win
ter among our rural residents displace
cold and melt the SHOWS. Few classes
can say with a much meaning and good
cheer as can our Maine farmers. "Waic0me
to winter and its enioyments.' For as
just remarked, it often passes all too quick
". There are plans to be made for apoih-
er seasons work improvements are to be
projected, and the accounts squared and
balanced up. Instead of being a season of
dullness, winter is in fact one of activity
| and vim. 1t is Improvement aud 0ccupa-
ton with the good farmer right along, the
| only difference being III the character Of
| employment. If the body lets up little,
the mental qualities are more active and
contribute to the highest enjoyment and
improvement. Who shall say, after all,
| that we do not behold in winter, the real
glory of the year.;
Division Fences.